raven8888

Call your doctor to be safe. My sudden pain turned out to be a stricture.

Lissa "I've always found that I need to stay OFF the medical sites when anything goes wrong because I'm the one who always assumes I'll have the worst-case scenario." I know, me too, its torture. I stopped after it got me freaked out, but a little too late. Thanks. Everything post-op was going so well. Then literally it came to a hault. It's hard not to wish this isn't really happening to me. I will be asking the doctor a lot of questions on Wednesday morning for sure.

By the way, sorry if I seem to be whining too much today. Don't mean to be the Debby Downer on the forum tonight. I am normaly pretty positive about things. This is just really getting me down and needed to let it out a little.

Having a hard time sleeping tonight. I am so uncomfortable. The only thing that seems to help is to stop drinking water, but then I will dehydrate. Feeling sad and wishing I could be having an easier experience like everyone else. I'm scared because I have been looking up all I can on strictures and some strictures can be a permanent issue that has to be stretched open every few months forever. Wondering if this is a pain I will have to live with forever? Will I go through this again 4 months down the road again over and over again. Some things on stomach strictures say risk of malnurishment and extreme weight loss due to not being able to hold food down. I want to lose weight, but I never wanted to starve to death ya know. I'm sure it can't be that bad considering I can still get a little liquid through right now, but hard not to think the worst when your feeling it with every little sip of water, and just that little sip even comes back up and the stomach gives me a big jolt with a terrible pain under my sternum as if I have food stuck in my esophagus. I am really praying for the best case scenerio, but laying in bed in so much discomfort hard not to feel a little defeated by the situation. I'm also so tired with not being able to sleep much. I know I just need some sleep and come Wednesday I'm sure everything will be fine and it won't be so bad. Just scared I may have done something that I will end up regretting in the long run if it doesn't turn out like all the success stories on here. If there is any other post-opers who have had this happen to them, or understand it better than I do that can offer some reassuring words and help me know things will be okay long term, I would really appreciate it. I'm having a hard time tonight, and just want to cry.

Thanks. The doc said it usually only takes one attempt and I should feel right back where I did Saturday again once he fixes it. So, just a setback, I knew it was one of the risks of this surgery and I am that .1 % lol! I know it will be fine, I have a good doctor and I know he will do whatever it takes to make this right. Just wish it was tomorrow because it is very uncomfortable right now. He said just go to ER if I start to get any worse, or call him if anything changes until then and they have me on a muscle relaxer and lortab for pain and stomach cramping

Well last night things started to get even more difficult and felt as if something was stuck in my esophagus or something, lot of pain and pressure, and this morning very hard to get the water in. I can still do it, but it hurts bad and started refluxing the water right back into my mouth a little. Doctor says I have a stricture and is doing an EGD Wednesday morning to stretch it back out. Everyone make sure you call your doctor with any kind of change because it may actually mean something or be a complication. Better safe than sorry.

Things were getting better and by Saturday I was getting in all fluids and most of my protein. Yesterday I started to have some trouble getting water down again, and last night felt like everything was getting stuck in my esophagus. Doc called me back today and said I have a stricture and scheduled and EDG on Wednesday morning to stretch it out using a baloon device. Until then just have to tollerate pain with the narcs and tylenol again and a muscle relaxer they gave me and get as much fluids as I can but it hurts to drink. Uuuhg! Wish they could get me in tomorrow, its a pretty yucky feeling and I have to take care of my 17 month old all day tomorrow.

I personally feel like I NEED to "go there" so that I can resolve some of my issues with food. I think if I ignore these thoughts and emotions and just think of something else it will all just get me down the road when I am eating food again. I'm coping with something in my life right now (surgery, small stomach, no food) and no longer able to "cope" with this situation with food. So I think whatever way works best for you is the right way to deal with this. And I do not think you should feel guilty or ashamed for thinking about food just a few weeks post op while adjusting to this new life. This is a process, healing inside and out. Give yourself permission to feel the feeling you are having and find ways to work through them in a healthy way, coming here for support is great. When we are both a year or two out from all of this, I'm sure it will be much easier not to think about it, but there is nothing wrong with you, or me. We are in the process of acceptance to this lifestyle change. Change is not easy for everyone so don't beat yourself up. Take it day by day. We can do this.

I can so relate! I was on this site for months preparing, but you really just don't know until you experience it yourself. I am 7 days post-op and I am also having some food blues if I may call it that. I kind of feel like I am dealing with a new part of the grieving process because I do miss and will miss some of my favorite foods. My sons birthday was this weekend and we ordered pizza and ice cream cake for everyone. I have to admit with the lack of sleep and the physical issues I have had this past week this sent me into a bit of a pity party for one. At one point I went up into my room and laid on my bed and just cried. I started to doubt and wonder, OMG, what did I just do? I can barely sip water without discomfort and everyone is just enjoying pizza and ice cream downstairs. Well, I pulled myself together and went back down and sipped my water while the rest of the family had the feast. So last night I went online and went to the "World According to Eggface blog" and checked out some of her recipes (Which she has a pizza porn gallery of great ideas for bariatric meals) Then I went on amazon and ordered three books. One was one dealing with the emotions post surgery, and the other two were bariatric cookbooks. I just thought, I f I can look at what I can look forward to in a few months and realize it's just right now...but things will get more normal and we can learn to eat "good" tasting food that is just right for our little tummies. I don't know why it helped to do this, but ti did. Don't get me wrong, when I am struggling to stomach broth or water I find myself wishing I were endulging in some alfredo instead. I just have to remind myself about my children, I want to be around for them, i want to be able to keep up with them pain free. Now I will have to be more creative about it, but I want to find a way to make food a "positive" thing in my daily life through health and creativity maybe. Anyway, you are not alone and I think everyone is going through similar emotions. The key is not to get stuck and bogged down in them for too long. It's okay to feel them, work it out, and find a way to redirect that doubt and fear into something empowering I think. Easer said than done, but we are all here in this together now. Keep your chin up

Thanks. Maybe I just tried to get too much in too fast? I'm slowing it down again today. Just hate the light headed feeling when you don't get enough of the suppliments in. The warm water is what does seem to work better. I ordered a mug warmer so it will stay warmer longer since it takes so long to get it down.

Great job! I am 6 days post op. Lost 8 pounds since last Sunday (sleeved Monday), and lost 4 pounds before that on one week pre-op diet for a total of 12 pounds in the past two weeks and a grand total since this journey started 19 pounds!

Yesterday I was finally starting to improve and tollerate a little more protein and actually feel a little more energy by the end of the day. I have had good luck with getting water down since about day 3. However, starting last night my stomach keeps cramping or spasming with a cramp and kind of sharp pain where the stomach is located even after just sips of water again. And this morning as well, just can't seem to settle it down. Is it normal for your stomach to be a little "tempermental" after it seemed like it was getting better. Should I be concerned or do I just ride it out?

May 14th here too. I am able to get all my fluids in now, but struggle with the protein. My stomach seems to cramp up more with that. I also get so full after only 2 to 3 oz. Like as if I had just ate an entire thanksgiving feast. So I guess that is a good thing and means its working. But I am not getting the 60 gm a day yet. Maybe only about 30-40 at best. I just want to get enough protien in to heal and recover and get the optimal weight loss. One day at a time I guess. Pain is manageable, but still an issue. Nausea comes and goes depending on what I am trying to stomach at the time. I have protein jellos, but cannot get nearly as much in as the liquid shakes. Warmed up water seems to be my easiest thing to drink, hot tea doesn't agree with me. Feel like a new baby trying out all the new foods again. haha! Hope everyone has a good weekend. I am on my own on Monday with 4 kids. I do have someone to help pick up from school since I can't drive, but with my toddler all day long. I'm going to rest as much as I can this weekend to get ready for it.

Hope you are doing ok. I'm feeling better and getting more fluids and protien down, but still having trouble with my blood pressure. Hopefully it will all balance out once my body finds some sort of homeostasis. Keep us posted. My thoughts and prayers out to you and all of us recent post opers! We will get through this together.

So glad you are doing better now. I'm sorry to hear you are having a lot of pain. I had to stay an extra day at hospital due to nausea and blood pressure issues. But everyday seems to be improving now. The pain is manageable for most part but my blood pressure rises quickly at any little amount to a dangerous level, so I feel like I'm doing a balancing act evey hour between the two. Hang in there and know we are all thinking about you and your speedy recovery. Each day will get better and this part will all be behind you. Keep us updated and keep your chin up. I believe the best is yet to come.

So glad you are doing well!

Sorry about all my spelling errors and typos, I have been pretty heavily sedated. lol!

Just wanted to let everyone know, that every hour things are starting to feel better for me. It is still worth it all knowing that my new journey is beginning this week. I expected to have some bumps (maybe not that big) but I am still glad I went throught his. So glad I have you guys during the rough times. I just hope I can help someone else out that may have a similar experience as I did the first couple days. Don't ever let anything say this is the "easy way out" not by far.

Things seem to be taking a turn for the better finally. I was on so many IV anti-nausea medication just because one wouldnt last long enough they had to give me another. But I actually got some protien down this morning and can drink water without vomiting, and feel a little bit more like myself again. That was the roughest 48 hours of my life I think. Never thought it would get that bad. But at least the worst is behind me now. Thanks for your support guys.

thanks, still having hard time, but i know it has to get better eventually. Just hard right now

I am having severe nausea still. They can barely keep in under control. I started mt protien today but it made me so sick. Anyone else had this exprience and what did you do to help you. I'm still in the hospital

wooohoo!

did it help? Same thing anytime I gt to go to bathroom or walk, or even suck on wet sponge.

Hi everyone!! I got my sleeve today. Most of the day I have been dealing with a lot of severe nausea. They are trying to find a nice combo of meds to tackle pain and nausea, said I am having spasms. I'm pretty tired and literally have fallen asleep twice just writing this short message. I just couldn't wait to finally post on the post-op forum!! I am on the losers bench! yay!

Hope everything turns out ok. Sending you my prayers!